[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by bobandbea

Walking and Running on multi-modal paths in the direction of oncoming carts is done for safety reasons. It is more comfortable to see oncoming carts under control as opposed to hearing carts coming up behind you not knowing if they see you or not. Generally, it also provides for a friendly villages wave and acknowledgement.

Some runners use the lanes because they are generally softer than the concrete sidewalks to run on, especially if they are running a long distance and have sensitive feet.

I agree with this.

When one runs 25+ MPW (Miles per week), then the infinitesimal difference of running on concrete vs asphalt is exponential. Worst I ever ran was the Dublin (IRE) Marathon. Their roads have those granite chips that are usually found in America piled around railroad tracks. They are floated to the surface but skimmed smoothly.

Instead of asphalt, you are running on granite. After 26.2, it made a significantly negative difference in my results and experience.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Bombguy

Requires walking in the road at some point.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

I agree with this.

When one runs 25+ MPW (Miles per week), then the infinitesimal difference of running on concrete vs asphalt is exponential. Worst I ever ran was the Dublin (IRE) Marathon. Their roads have those granite chips that are usually found in America piled around railroad tracks. They are floated to the surface but skimmed smoothly.

Instead of asphalt, you are running on granite. After 26.2, it made a significantly negative difference in my results and experience.

As a longtime runner myself I would agree with you to a point. I only run 4 to 5 miles, because I love running and do it just to stay fit. Yes running on asphalt is a bit better than concrete, much more so for high mileage runners like yourself.

But the people I see using the cart lane instead of the sidewalk are just walking.
I would argue the concrete surface has minimal effect on them, especially with the shoe cushioning technology we have now. Shoes are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were 10 years ago. And walkers don't take near the pounding runners do.

Plus with all the crappy drivers here, it's foolish to not use a sidewalk.

I also run the mmp on Morse. 95% of the carts are courteous and always give me room when they go around me. I always give them a wave as a way to say thanks.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bombguy

Requires walking in the road at some point.

Explain that please.

When I go to Publix I walk into my garage and get into my golf cart. I then drive to the Publix parking lot where I get out and walk to the store. To return home I reverse the process. Which road did I walk in?

The same goes for Winn Dixie, Aldi, Havana Country Club, The Toasted Yolk, and Hooter's. Heck, if I'm lucky I don't have to walk in the road to visit the Sumter and Brownwood squares.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

There are no sidewalks alongside MMPs. The statute applies to cart and bike lanes along roads, which it does EXPLICITLY forbid. The lanes along these roads are NOT multimodal paths, they ARE cart and bike lanes.

Which roads are you referring to here?

If a road has a narrow lane alongside it, but no separate footpath, then walkers are allowed in that lane. Many times that lane will have a sign such as "Share the road" with pictures of a golf cart, a cyclist and a pedestrian.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Which roads are you referring to here?

If a road has a narrow lane alongside it, but no separate footpath, then walkers are allowed in that lane. Many times that lane will have a sign such as "Share the road" with pictures of a golf cart, a cyclist and a pedestrian.

Which roads are *you* referring to?

Other than possibly Morse north of 44, I can't think of a road in the Villages that has a diamond lane but no sidewalk. Since there is no sidewalk pedestrians can walk in the road. I can't think of a road in the Villages that has both an MMP *and* a sidewalk. There may be some, but I cannot think of them.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Actually they ticketed her for failure to yield. I hope the poor woman fought it because it's bad enough she's got to live with that the rest of her life, but to get ticketed because the other person was breaking 2 laws is absolutely absurd.

I can't see that driving without due care and attention, and plowing into someone, is anything other than ticketable.

Why was she driving so close to the cart in front that she couldn't avoid the pedestrian?

You may not like others sharing "your" road but that doesn't mean you can be judge, jury and executioner and mow them down.

I fully agree that the walker should have been facing traffic (and not in that lane if there was a footpath) but to be driving so dangerously that you can't take evasive action is hardly being a model law-abider.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by HospitalCoder

Playing chicken or asserting the right of way? When you see a pedestrian, you should pass in other lane if safe to do so. If you can’t pass safely, you should stop your cart until you can pass or the until the pedestrian has cleared from in front of you.

The pedestrian walking in a cart/bike lane when a sidewalk is next to them is in VIOLATION of Florida statute 316.130 (3). Yes, you are not allowed to hit him/her, but you can certainly "instruct" them as to the law, using whatever language you choose. They are not where they belong and do not have any "right of way", only the caveat that a car or a cart can't hit them

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by kendi

Agree with a previous post that paved areas are easier on the skeletal system than concrete so walkers/runners may use the street.

We see a gentleman jogging in the street which actually may be safer for him because his feet shuffle a bit and the walking path which is not concrete is uneven from encroaching tree roots. The street is not heavily traveled and even less so at the time he’s out. Hopefully he thinks to always face the traffic.

No, NO, and NO!!!!!

THEY MAY NOT USE THE STREET

I'm beginning to think that Americans have a reading comprehension problem, so once again here is the statute:

316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations.—
(3) Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic.

What is unclear???
Where is the part that states you can violate this LAW if you think it's "easier on your skeletal system"???
It is simple: If a sidewalk is available, IT IS ILLEGAL TO WALK IN THE CART/BIKE LANE
I think a kindergarten student can understand it.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Which roads are you referring to here?

If a road has a narrow lane alongside it, but no separate footpath, then walkers are allowed in that lane. Many times that lane will have a sign such as "Share the road" with pictures of a golf cart, a cyclist and a pedestrian.

OK, to start with:
Pinellas Place
Hillsborough Trail
Hendry Drive
Moyer Loop
Anna Marie Ave.
Charlotte Court

All these roads have a CART AND BIKE lane and a sidewalk. Florida statute 316.130 prohibits pedestrians from walking on those lanes

Please point out where a "share the road" sign with pictures of carts, bikes and walkers is located.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Actually they ticketed her for failure to yield. I hope the poor woman fought it because it's bad enough she's got to live with that the rest of her life, but to get ticketed because the other person was breaking 2 laws is absolutely absurd.

Well, in my opinion, there is never a good reason to hit someone if you can avoid it. Whatever the law says.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

I can't see that driving without due care and attention, and plowing into someone, is anything other than ticketable.

Why was she driving so close to the cart in front that she couldn't avoid the pedestrian?

You may not like others sharing "your" road but that doesn't mean you can be judge, jury and executioner and mow them down.

I fully agree that the walker should have been facing traffic (and not in that lane if there was a footpath) but to be driving so dangerously that you can't take evasive action is hardly being a model law-abider.

Well, except you don’t expect any pedestrian to be idiotic enough not to jump out of a cart’s way as a cart driving at proper speed, after another cart (which would block the view) when they have no reason to expect a pedestrian NOT on the sidewalk - unless the pedestrian fainted or something.

[Topspinmo]

Either way path, road, street when walking on them YOU should face traffic and walk on far edge, the diamonds lanes are extension of roads, should never blunder down middle or walk 2 or more abreast especially when traffic coming and especially all three meet at same time. AT time, time for walker/walkers to get up on curve to prevent accident. Walkers have right to walk but they also have responsibility to prevent accidents and protect themselves. If that means getting little grass on your shoes so be. Better than being injuried regardless of who’s right. When side walk available use them.

[PilotAlan]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

MMP is a road, a path to one point to another used as transportation is road (look it up) therefore roads rules apply private road or not.

It's not a public road, which means almost all Florida statutes do not apply. It's private property.
Only Reckless Driving and criminal traffic violations (DUI, Vehicular Homicide, etc) can be enforced on private property.

Non-criminal traffic statutes only apply on private roads where the general public is permitted to operate motor vehicles, which excludes Villages MMPs)(no golf carts are not motor vehicles, and LSVs are not permitted on the MMPs). See FL AG legal guidance to the City of Apopka.

Not interested in arguments. I'm a retired FL cop, traffic homicide investigator, and expert witness on traffic enforcement issues. This was literally my job for 25 years.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by PilotAlan

It's not a public road, which means almost all Florida statutes do not apply. It's private property.
Only Reckless Driving and criminal traffic violations (DUI, Vehicular Homicide, etc) can be enforced on private property.

Non-criminal traffic statutes only apply on private roads where the general public is permitted to operate motor vehicles, which excludes Villages MMPs)(no golf carts are not motor vehicles, and LSVs are not permitted on the MMPs). See FL AG legal guidance to the City of Apopka.

Not interested in arguments. I'm a retired FL cop, traffic homicide investigator, and expert witness on traffic enforcement issues. This was literally my job for 25 years.

It appears that Florida laws feel golf carts are motor vehicles (see FL Statute 316.003(29))

I would like to read the FL AG legal guidance to the City of Apopka as it contradicts long-standing guidance here in the Villages. However, I have not yet been able to find it. Can you provide a link?